Non-heeling hull assembly

ABSTRACT

A boat including a hull having a deck and bottom, a sail carrying mast, and a keel structure, with the mast and keel being pivotally supported from the hull and so operatively connected by hydraulic or mechanical means that when the boat is wind driven the mast may tilt to port or starboard with concurrent pivoting of the keel structure in an opposite direction. Pivoting of the mast and keel structure is independent of the hull, and the hull remaining in a non-heeling position when the boat is wind driven at a substantial rate. The mast when used on a small boat may be provided with a break away section adjacent the pivotal support therefor, and as a result the mast and supported sail will break away and fall to the side of the boat if the latter is caught in a squall or sudden heavy gust of wind, rather than the boat being overturned.

United States Patent 1 Marcil NON-HEELING HULL ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Paul M. Marci], l2] 17 Phillips Ave, Lynwood, Calif, 90262 [22] Filed: July 15, I974 2| Appl. No.: 488,674

Primary Examiner-Trygve Mi Blix Assistant Examiner-Sherman Di Basinger Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam C. Babcock 51 Sept. 9, 1975 ABSIRACT A boat including a hull having a deck and bottom, a sail carrying mast, and a keel structure, with the mast and keel being pivotally supported from the hull and so operatively connected by hydraulic or mechanical means that when the boat is wind driven the mast may tilt to port or starboard with concurrent pivoting of the keel structure in an opposite direction. Pivoting of the mast and keel structure is independent of the hull, and the hull remaining in a non-heeling position when the boat is wind driven at a substantial rate. The mast when used on a small boat may be provided with a break away section adjacent the pivotal support therefor, and as a result the mast and supported sail will break away and fall to the side of the boat if the latter is caught in a squall or sudden heavy gust of wind, rather than the boat being overturned.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 9 I975 NON-HEELING HULL ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Non-Heeling hull assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art Sail boats at the present date are primarily used for pleasure purposes. When such a boat is wind driven, the sail supporting mast and the keel structure tilt transversely, and inasmuch as the mast and keel structure are rigidly secured to the hull the latter tilts transversely there. In a strong wind, a sail boat will frequently heel transversely to the extent that the occupants must shift from side to side to prevent the boat overturning.

The primary purpose in devising the present inven tion is to provide a sail carrying mast and keel structure that are pivotally supported from the hull and are so operatively connected by hydraulic or mechanical means that the mast and keel structure when the boat is wind driven may pivot transversely relative to the hull without causing transverse heeling of the latter.

Another object of the invention is to supply a mast and keel structure combination that is susceptible to being in the structure of a new boat or added as a modification to an existing boat.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a mast and keel structure combination that pivot concurrently without such pivotal movement being transferred to the hull, and the necessity of the occupants of a boat equipped with the invention from being required to shift from side to side when the boat is driven by a strong wind being eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to supply a mast and keel structure combination that substantially eliminates the possibility of the boat being inadvertently overturned when caught by a sudden squall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sail carrying mast that is pivotally supported above the deck of a hull, and the mast having first lever associated therewith that extends downwardly through a first transverse slot in the deck. A keel structure is pivotally supported from the bottom of the hull, with additional weights capable of being removably secured to a lower first end portion thereof. A second lever operatively associated with the keel structure extends upwardly through a second transverse slot formed in the bottom of the deck. Either hydraulic or mechanical means are transversely disposed within the confines of the hull, and are so operatively associated with the mast and the keel structure that pivotal transverse movement of the sail carrying mast is transferred to the keel structure to cause transverse pivoting of the latter. Pivoting of the keel structure displaces the center of gravity of the keel structure relative to the pivot axis, and as a result the weight of the keel structure at all times tends to force the sail carrying mast to return to a position where it is normally positioned relative to the deck of the boat. Concurrent pivoting of the sail carrying mast and keel structure is independent of the hull, and the latter in even a strong wind remains in a nonheeling position. When the invention is used on a small boat the mast may have a break away section that allows the mast and sail to fall to one side of the boat if the latter is caught in a sudden squall or gust of wind rather than the squall or gust overturning the boat which heretofore has been a common occurrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a transverse cross sectional view of a sail boat equipped with a pivotally supported mast and keel structure that are operatively connected by a hydraulic assembly, and with the mast and keel structure removably locked in a fixed position to permit the boat to be sailed in a conventional manner;

FIG. 2 is the same view shown in FIG. I, but with the mast and keel structure in an unlocked position to per mit the mast and keel structure to pivot concurrently without causing the hull of the boat to heel transversely;

FIG. 3 is the same view as shown in FIG. 2 but with the mast and keel structure interconnected by a roller supported endless chain belt;

FIG. 4 is the same view as shown in FIG. 2 but with the mast and keel structure interconnected by a roller supported endless cable belt;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of a sealed pivotal support for the mast; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of a sealed pivotal support for the keel structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A first form A of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 which results in a sail carrying mast B being permitted to pivot transversely to port or starboard relative to a hull C with concurrent pivoting ofa keel structure D, but without the pivoting movement of the mast and keel structure being transferred to the hull which remains in a non-heeling position when the boat of which the hull C forms a part is wind driven.

The mast as may be seen in FIG. 1 includes stays 10 that are held in desired spaced relationship by spreaders l2 and 14. The hull C includes a deck E and cabin F as in conventional sailboats.

The lower end of mast B as may be seen in FIG. 5 is rigidly secured to a first longitudinally extending shaft 16 that is rotatably supported between first and second bearing blocks 18 and 20. First bearing block 18 has a cavity 22 extending upwardly therein that is vertically aligned with a first transverse slot 24 formed in deck E. A first lever 26 is secured to first shaft 16 and extends downwardly through cavity 22 and first slot 24 into the interior 28 of hull C.

Hull C includes a bottom 30 to which first and second bearing blocks 32 and 34 are secured by bolts 36 or other suitable fastening means. First bearing block 32 has a cavity 38 therein that is vertically aligned with a second transverse slot 40 formed in bottom 30. The first bearing block 32 has a cylindrical opening or bearing 42 therein that is in communication with cavity 38.

A second shaft 44 is provided that has a first end portion 44a journalled in bearing 42 and a second end portion 44b journalled in second bearing block 34. A second lever 46 is secured to second shaft end portion 440 and extends upwardly through cavity 38 and second slot 40 into the interior 28 of hull C. A sealing gasket 46 is disposed between the adjacent surfaces of first bearing block 32 and bottom 30. Keel structure D is rigidly secured to second shaft 44 and depends therefrom. First bearing block 32 has sealing means 48 mounted thereon to prevent water flowing through bearing 42 cavity 38, and second slot 40 into the interior 28 of hull C.

First, second, third, and fourth hydraulic assemblies 50, 52, 54 and 56 respectively are provided, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These assemblies are identical in structure, and accordingly, only the first assembly will be described in detail.

First assembly 50 includes a hydraulic cylinder 500 having a first end 50b and second end 50c. The hydraulic cylinder 50a slidably supports a piston 50d that has a piston rod 50c connected thereto that extends through first end 50b. The free end of piston rod 50e connected thereto that extends through first end 50b. The free end of piston rod 50e, by conventional means (not shown), is pivotally connected to a pin 52 that extends outwardly from first lever 26. Second end 50c is pivotally connected by a bolt or pin 54 to a bracket 58 that is secured to the interior of hull C by conventional means.

The free ends of third and fourth piston rods 54e and 56e are pivotally connected by conventional means (not shown) to a pin 60 that extends outwardly from second lever 46. First and third hydraulic cylinders 50a and 540 have fluid passages therein adjacent the second ends 500 and 542 thereof that are connected by a first conduit 62. Second and fourth hydraulic cylinders 52a and 5611 have fluid passages therein adjacent the second ends 52c and 56d thereof that are connected by a second conduit 64.

First and second brackets 66 and 68 extend into space 28 from deck E and bottom 30, and have openings 66a and 68a formed therein that may be aligned with opening 26a and 46a in first and second levers 26 and 46 respectively, when the mast B and keel structure D are in vertical alignment. When mast B and keel structure D are so vertically aligned, bolts E may be extended through the aligned openings as shown in FIG. I to hold the mast B and keel structure D in fixed positions relative to hull C, and permit the sailboat of which the hull forms an integral part to be sailed in a conventional manner.

When the bolts E are removed from the openings, the sail carrying mast B may pivot transversely to either port or starboard, with this pivotal movement being transferred to the first lever 26, as shown in FIG. 2. Pivotal movement of first lever 26 results in movement of first and second pistons 50d and 52d, with hydraulic fluid M in the cylinders being caused to flow therefrom in the closed circuit defined by the first and second conduits 62 and 64 to cause movement of the third and fourth pistons 54d and 56d, with this movement being transferred by piston rods 54c and 56e to second lever 46.

As the second lever 46 pivots in the manner shown in FIG. 2, the pivotal movement of mast B is transferred to keel structure D, but with the keel structure pivoting in an opposite direction to that of mast B. Keel structure D includes a fixed weight 70 as a part thereof. Weight 70 at all times, due to gravity, tends to return to a position in which it is vertically aligned with mast C, and in so doing, endeavors to maintain the mast C substantially in a position normal relative to the deck E. Should it be desired, additional weights 700 may be removably secured to the keel structure D by the uses of bolts 72 or other fastening means. The greater the magnitude of the weights 70 and 700, the greater will be the tendency for the mast C to remain normally disposed relative to the deck B when the sail carrying mast is subjected to a strong wind.

From the above description it will be apparent that the sail carrying mast B may pivot transversely relative to the hull C when the sailboat of which the hull forms a part is subjected to wind, but without this pivotal movement being transferred to the hull which remains in a non-heeling position.

A second form of the invention is shown in H0. 3 wherein the above described hydraulic assemblies are eliminated and replaced by an endless, transversely disposed chain link belt 74 situated within the space 28 of the hull C. The belt 74 is, by pins 76 and 78 connected to first and second levers 26 and 44 as shown in FIG. 3. The belt 74 is movably supported on a number of transversely spaced sprockets 80 that are rotatably supported by brackets 82 from the interior of hull C. Pivotal movement of first lever 26 is transferred by belt 74 to second lever 46, and as a result the keel structure D pivots concurrently with mast B in the same manner as previously described, and providing the same operational advantages.

A third form of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 that is similar to the second form illustrated in FIG. 3 and differs therefrom only in that an endless belt 74' is substituted for the chain link belt 74 and the sprockets 80 are replaced with the pulleys 80'.

The use and operation of the invention has been described previously in detail and need not be repeated.

I claim:

1. In a sailboat that includes a hull having a bottom and a deck and a sail-supporting mast, the improvement for permitting said boat to be wind-propelled with the sail-supporting mast being tilted transversely to either port or starboard and without said hull heeling transversely therewith, said improvement comprising:

a. a first longitudinally disposed shaft above said deck, said shaft having said sail-supporting mast rigidly secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom;

b. a first lever secured to said shaft and extending downwardly through a transverse slot in said deck;

0. first bearing means sealingly mounted on said deck and extending over said first slot, with said first bearing means pivotally supporting said first shaft;

d. a second shaft longitudinally disposed under said bottom, which second shaft has first and second end portions;

e. a second lever secured to said first end portion of said second shaft and extending upwardly through a second transverse slot in said bottom;

f. second bearing means sealingly mounted on said bottom and extending over said second slot, which second bearing means pivotally supports said first end portion of said second shaft;

g. third means mounted on said bottom for pivotally supporting said second end portion of said second shaft;

h. a keel structure secured to said second shaft and depending therefrom; and

i. first transversely disposed movement-transforming means inside said hull that so operatively connect said first and second levers that pivotal movement of said mast is transferred to like pivotal movement of said keel structure but in an opposite direction, with said pivoting of said mast and keel structure being independent of said hull, said hull remaining in a non-heeling position as concurrent pivoting of said mast and keel structure takes place.

2. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

j. second means for removably locking said mast and keel structure in vertically aligned positions relative to said deck when it is desired to have said sailbearing mast and said keel structure remain in a fixed, normally disposed positions relative to said deck when said sail boat is being sailed.

3. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said transverse movement-transferring means comprises:

j. a plurality of transversely aligned and transversely spaced rotatable members rotatably supported from the interior surface of said hull; and

k. an endless belt rotatably supported from said rotatable members, with said belt connected to said first and second levers, and with said belt transferring pivotal movement of said first lever to said second lever to cause concurrent pivotal movement of said mast and keel structure.

4. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said belt is of a plurality of pivotally connected chain links and said rotatable members are sprockets that are engaged by said chain links.

5. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said belt is an endless length of cable and said rotatable members are pulleys that are engaged thereby.

6. A sailboat as defined in claim 5 which in addition includes:

l. means for tightening and loosening said endless length of cable on said pulleys.

7. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 in which said transverse movement transferring means comprises:

j. first, second, third and fourth hydraulic assemblies,

each of said assemblies including a hydraulic cylinder that has first and second ends, a piston slidably movable in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending outwardly from said first end of said cylinder, and a hydraulic passage in said cylinder adjacent said second end thereof;

k. first supporting means disposed inside said hull and secured thereto for pivotally supporting said second ends of said hydraulic cylinders of said first and second assemblies transversely relative to said first lever and on opposite sides thereof, and with said piston rods associated with said first and second assemblies pivotally connected to said first lever;

l. second supporting means disposed inside said hull and secured thereto for pivotally supporting said second ends of said hydraulic cylinders of said third and fourth assemblies transversely relative to said second lever and on opposite sides thereof, and with said piston rods associated with said third and fourth assemblies pivotally connected to said second lever; m. first and second conduits, said first conduit connecting the interiors of said hydraulic cylinders of said first and third assemblies, and said second conduit connecting the interiors of said hydraulic cylinders of said second and fourth assemblies; and a quantity of hydraulic fluid in said first and second conduits and said hydraulic cylinders of said first, second, third and fourth hydraulic assemblies that travels back and forth therebetween as said mast pivots to move said pistons in said first and second hydraulic assemblies and to cause concurrent pivoting of said keel structure due to said pistons in said third and fourth assemblies being moved.

8. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 in which said first bearing means includes:

j. first and second bearing blocks longitudinally spaced from one another and secured to said deck and rotatably supporting said first shaft therebetween, with said mast secured to said first shaft between said first and second blocks, and said first block having an upwardly extending cavity therein that is aligned with said first transverse slot, and said first lever so secured to said first shaft as to extend downwardly through said cavity and first transverse slot into the interior of said hull.

9. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 in which said second bearing means is a block sealing secured to said bottom, said block having a cavity therein that is vertically aligned with said second transverse slot, said block having a cylindrical bearing therein that is in communication with said cavity, with said first end portion of said second shaft rotatably supported in said bearing and extending into said cavity, and said second lever extending downwardly through said second transverse slot into said cavity and secured to the part of said first end portion of said second shaft situated in said cavity.

10. A sailboat as defined in claim 9 which in addition includes:

j. sealing means for preventing water entering said cylindrical bearing and cavity and the interior of said hull. 

1. In a sailboat that includes a hull having a bottom and a deck and a sail-supporting mast, the improvement for permitting said boat to be wind-propelled with the sail-supporting mast being tilted transversely to either port or starboard and without said hull heeling transversely therewith, said improvement comprising: a. a first longitudinally disposed shaft above said deck, said shaft having said sail-supporting mast rigidly secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom; b. a first lever secured to said shaft and extending downwardly through a transverse slot in said deck; c. first bearing means sealingly mounted on said deck and extending over said first slot, with said first bearing means pivotally supporting said first shaft; d. a second shaft longitudinally disposed under said bottom, which second shaft has first and second end portions; e. a second lever secured to said first end portion of said second shaft and extending upwardly through a second transverse slot in said bottom; f. second bearing means sealingly mounted on said bottom and extending over said second slot, which second bearing means pivotally supports said first end portion of said second shaft; g. third means mounted on said bottom for pivotally supporting said second end portion of said second shaft; h. a keel structure secured to said second shaft and depending therefrom; and i. first transversely disposed movement-transforming means inside said hull that so operatively connect said first and second levers that pivotal movement of said mast is transferred to like pivotal movement of said keel structure but in an opposite direction, with said pivoting of said mast and keel structure being independent of said hull, said hull remaining in a non-heeling position as concurrent pivoting of said mast and keel structure takes place.
 2. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 which further includes: j. second means for removably locking said mast and keel structure in vertically aligned positions relative to said deck when it is desired to have said sailbearing mast and said keel structure remain in a fixed, normally disposed positions relative to said deck when said sail boat is being sailed.
 3. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said transverse movement-transferring means comprises: j. a plurality of transversely aligned and transversely spaced rotatable members rotatably supported from the interior surface of said hull; and k. an endless belt rotatably supported from said rotatable members, with said belt connected to said first and second levers, and with said belt transferring pivotal movement of said first lever to said second lever to cause concurrent pivotal movement of said mast and keel structure.
 4. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said belt is of a plurality of pivotally connected chain links and said rotatable members are sprockets that are engaged by said chain links.
 5. A saiLboat as defined in claim 1 wherein said belt is an endless length of cable and said rotatable members are pulleys that are engaged thereby.
 6. A sailboat as defined in claim 5 which in addition includes: l. means for tightening and loosening said endless length of cable on said pulleys.
 7. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 in which said transverse movement transferring means comprises: j. first, second, third and fourth hydraulic assemblies, each of said assemblies including a hydraulic cylinder that has first and second ends, a piston slidably movable in said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending outwardly from said first end of said cylinder, and a hydraulic passage in said cylinder adjacent said second end thereof; k. first supporting means disposed inside said hull and secured thereto for pivotally supporting said second ends of said hydraulic cylinders of said first and second assemblies transversely relative to said first lever and on opposite sides thereof, and with said piston rods associated with said first and second assemblies pivotally connected to said first lever; l. second supporting means disposed inside said hull and secured thereto for pivotally supporting said second ends of said hydraulic cylinders of said third and fourth assemblies transversely relative to said second lever and on opposite sides thereof, and with said piston rods associated with said third and fourth assemblies pivotally connected to said second lever; m. first and second conduits, said first conduit connecting the interiors of said hydraulic cylinders of said first and third assemblies, and said second conduit connecting the interiors of said hydraulic cylinders of said second and fourth assemblies; and n. a quantity of hydraulic fluid in said first and second conduits and said hydraulic cylinders of said first, second, third and fourth hydraulic assemblies that travels back and forth therebetween as said mast pivots to move said pistons in said first and second hydraulic assemblies and to cause concurrent pivoting of said keel structure due to said pistons in said third and fourth assemblies being moved.
 8. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 in which said first bearing means includes: j. first and second bearing blocks longitudinally spaced from one another and secured to said deck and rotatably supporting said first shaft therebetween, with said mast secured to said first shaft between said first and second blocks, and said first block having an upwardly extending cavity therein that is aligned with said first transverse slot, and said first lever so secured to said first shaft as to extend downwardly through said cavity and first transverse slot into the interior of said hull.
 9. A sailboat as defined in claim 1 in which said second bearing means is a block sealing secured to said bottom, said block having a cavity therein that is vertically aligned with said second transverse slot, said block having a cylindrical bearing therein that is in communication with said cavity, with said first end portion of said second shaft rotatably supported in said bearing and extending into said cavity, and said second lever extending downwardly through said second transverse slot into said cavity and secured to the part of said first end portion of said second shaft situated in said cavity.
 10. A sailboat as defined in claim 9 which in addition includes: j. sealing means for preventing water entering said cylindrical bearing and cavity and the interior of said hull. 